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The Swedish band Fever Ray made their US debut at Webster Hall last night, and Karin Dreijer and company did not disappoint. The set was very dark, the performers hidden mostly by smoke machine and shadow, while lasers beamed across the room and audience, and a few table lamps pulsed a dim orange glow on stage. From where I was standing (it was hard to see anything) it looked like Karin was wearing what I can only describe as a small African hut that she was ensconsed in, she almost had a Sigmund The Sea Monster vibe. The music was sparse and tribal/electro, they played the album, with two other songs I didn't recognize. Mid way thru the show, she removed the headpiece and moved around a little blt wearing a long robe and her requisite white face paint, (with fingerless white gloves), long blond hair obscuring half her face. This is not a girl that wants to be in the spotlight! The band created a moody atmosphere that for me, worked perfectly with the sounds. The music reminded my friend Michael and i of some 80's music, Danielle Dax and Peter Gabriel in particular. My only minor complaint was that the show was too short (no encore, and the vocals were mixed way down) but I think everyone in the room felt they had seen something special, the overall experience was what we all came for, a unique artist that's not doing what everyone else is, and who I hope we'll be seeing here again. If you can catch any of the handful of US shows coming up, do it! http://feverray.com/shows/